Talking to your Doctor: High Blood Pressure Edition

What should you ask your doctor about your blood pressure?

Going to the doctor can be a stressful experience for many people. This stress can be caused by previous experiences, the fear of having health problems, or one of many other variables. Being uncomfortable around your doctor can make it hard to remember what questions to ask. It's important to develop an amicable relationship with your doctor in order to lower your health related stress, but coming in with an idea of what you need to know about your health can also help reduce that stress. 

This list is a great resource to take with you to your doctor if you need help remembering what you need to know. It even has blanks to fill in the answers so that you can keep all the answers for future reference. 

• What is my blood pressure?
• This may seem silly, but a lot of patients know that their blood pressure is high, but don't know the exact numbers. As you begin monitoring your blood pressure, you will need to know exactly how high it is.
• What is the healthy range for me?
• Many sources offer ranges for healthy blood pressure. Ask your doctor to tell you where he would like your blood pressure to be. He (or she) will be familiar with you and your specific case and know exactly what's right for you.
• If you're on a medication, ask for its name and if it has any side effects you need to watch out for! 
• There are many reasons to be aware of your medications and your doctor is your best ally in this area. 
• Also ask if your doctor has any more specific instructions about your medications. 
• Should you take it at a specific time? With or without food? You want to be sure that your medicine working as well as it can. Talk to your doctor and take advantage of his knowledge!
• What is a healthy weight for me? 
• One of the ways that is usually recommended for lowering blood pressure is weight loss. Ask your doctor where he would like you to be in order to help manage your blood pressure. 

Obviously these questions will vary for everyone, but this list is a good place to start. Before you see your doctor, make sure to consider what you'd like to talk about. It will definitely improve your visits with your doctor, making it easier on both you and him. 

Source: http://www.tuscany-diet.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Blood-pressure-and-healthy-life.jpg

Sources:

National Institutes of Health: Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

American Heart Association

National Library of Medicine